Had a good weekend . . . spent yesterday at the lake and I actually remembered my camera this time! My cousin, his son and son's girlfriend came along with my parents. Here's a few pics from the day:
Skiing at sunset is the best . . . it's too bad my hands couldn't have lasted longer!
Good news! Clayton was discharged from the ENT doctor today! His ears looked "perfect" and he passed his hearing test with flying colors (even though he was trying his best to cry during the whole thing!). Dr. Bower has been seeing Clayton since his discharge from the NICU. He's performed two or three surgeries on him, and he's watched him go from "failure to thrive" to FULLY THRIVING! He was laughing today about how Clayton was SOOOO far from looking like the micro-preemie he had once been. He's like the rest of us, so proud of the progress Clayton's made over these few years. I almost got a little teary over the whole thing--we've never heard a doctor say "discharged" before--we're usually adding doctors instead. Definitely a reason to celebrate around here!
For a couple of years now I've had so many people saying "you ought to go for American Idol" and I just smile and say "NO CAN DO." That's because American Idol now has this little thing called an age limit which prevents us old people from trying out. And so after the demise of our current band and after watching "Can You Duet" on CMT, I started looking into Nashville Star. Of course they had already chosen the finalists for this season, but I was just researching for info on the next season. Three, five, or ten years ago I would have never thought about it, but I've gained a lot more confidence and I'm to the point of "why the heck not?" And then I got my answer! I was listening to the Nashville Star talk show on XM and learned that the contestants are COMPLETELY shut off from their world. No contact WITH ANYONE. (Now see, in my mind I was thinking that if I was chosen that Brian and Clayton could be right there with me). Your family isn't even allowed in the audience! I knew contestants were under lock and key, but I assumed that didn't include immediate family. Who do they think inspires me the most???? The very people I wouldn't be able to see! Now this is all just speculation, a dream really . . . but I'm glad I found out now instead of trying out and then having to make some major decision! Guess I'll have to get famous some other way!
And now for the layouts. These first two are from our trip and I still have lots more to come from Nashville!
One of Clayton with his new speech therapist:
I started a "He" book about Brian. I figured I never really scrap about him and I'd hate for our great-great grandkids to look at my scrapbooks and think "where's the hubby?"
These next two were inspired by my sister-in-law's blog. She keeps the great pics coming, and I just print them off and scrap!! Hope you like these, Nicole! 
This layout was done for a "clustering" challenge:
And this one for a layering challenge:
Another one for my "She" book:
And this last one was done for a personal challenge. Someone found out I never use glitter or "bling" on my layouts and they dared me to get glammed up a bit. And this is what happened!
We made our first trip to the lake this weekend! YAY for cooling off! But the lake just isn't the same since the water is so high. And it's come down A LOT! Can't tell by these pics though! Our boat barely fit under the bridge. It probably wouldn't have if we had gone up there a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely amazing how much rain we've had . . .
Yes, that boat is parked by a picnic table!
(Couldn't post without sharing a pic of Clayton). He was extremely excited to get back on the boat!
P. S. For all you non-message boarders, IRL=In Real Life. I used my random pics from all these crops I've attended to see my online friends. And I just realized I skip a photo of one of the pages. I'm sure it'll be okay though . . .
